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It's about the economy, stupid

Sorry, but I can't stop thinking about those corporate leaders who, trumpeted by the Boston Globe, stand ready to help the American hierarchy set up user-friendly accounting systems to remedy the "string of management and financial problems" that has shaken the faithful.

If only Rudy Kos had maintained proper records of his entertainment expenses! If only Paul Shanley had kept a PowerPoint version of his address to NAMBLA! If only Rembert Weakland had put his $400,000 payoff to Paul Marcoux on the proper line of the spreadsheet! Think how much better off we'd be today!

There are a few problems, however.

1) Proper corporate administration involves clear lines of communication, and clear acceptance of authority. How many American bishops show evidence that they want to shoulder the responsility of their office? Offhand I can think of 2.

2) When there's abundant evidence that the man in place can't do the job-- especially when he has already bungled his responsibilities and betrayed his people-- proper corporate administration begins by getting him out of office.

Add 1 + 2 and I think you see, pretty clearly, why American bishops won't be terribly interested in the corporate leaders' approach.

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"Offhand I can think of 2"
Of course Bruskewitz and Burke, but Chaput, Olmstead, Sheridan and Myers should come to mind. How about Carlson (telling Daschle not to call himself Catholic), Jugis (saying no Communion to proabort pols),Ditto Gettelfinger in Evansville. Wenski, Vigneron and Vasa have earned the benefit of our doubt. Gomez and Naumann will be up to their new jobs and the new guy in Witchita is from Lincoln!
Unfortunately Braxton, a Bernardin man was given Belville today.

Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Mar. 17, 2005 12:09 AM ET USA

These financial services executives are running around with a hammer and everything looks like a nail to them.
The most basic steps are not being taken: Pastors continue to resist an immediate cash and check count of the Sunday collection in front of lay witnesses who will sign off on the amount to be compared later to the deposit slip. Most of misappropriatation is as simple as a cash skim.

Posted by: -
Mar. 16, 2005 2:42 PM ET USA

"Offhand I can think of 2"
Along with Bruskewitz and Burke how about Chaput, Olmstead, Sheridan and Myers.
These names may not come to mind as quickly but deserve credit or at least benefit of doubt; Jugis (said no Communion for proabort pols in Charlotte), Gettelfinger(ditto for Evansville), Carlson (told Daschle not to call himsef Catholic), Jenky, Vigneron,Wenski and Vasa. I think Gomez and Naumann are up for their new jobs and the new Bishop of Witchita is from Lincoln.

Posted by: Jim E -
Mar. 16, 2005 1:10 PM ET USA

Many bishops could be helped by a modernization their business systems and practices. However, these changes will not cure the core problem of the lack of TRUST that the laity have in them as spiritual leaders. No new systems or outside help will cure their lack of spirituality or decency. The only hope is that God will replace the current bunch with a spiritually driven group.

Posted by: -
Mar. 16, 2005 12:36 PM ET USA

Only thing is..... corporate management is just as corrupt as anyone else, and they are just as incompetant as anyone else.

Posted by: -
Mar. 16, 2005 10:01 AM ET USA

"User-friendly announting systems" do not remedy management problems. A good accounting record is still just data, you still have to actually do something with the data. Accounting records also don't do anything to financial problems either. These are resolved by lowering costs, raising sales, and/or investing. All accounting does is give you a score card; check Enron and Worldcom for their value.

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